I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

14 April 2013

Contrast


A weepy day, on and off.
No particular reason why today
I should be so conscious of loss,
more than any other, 
yet it seemed I couldn't look around
without falling over his huge absence.

This evening, the weeping done,
I sat happily watching TV
and doing the crossword.
Then I caught an expectation,
rising from the back of my mind
like an old habit: that he 
would come into the room
from bedroom or office
to sit beside me and speak.

It was, you see, a moment
of contentment — cosy at home
after dinner, with happy cats
and the door shut on the cold —
in which he naturally belonged.
Unlike the day's empty longing.

Poetic Asides April Poem A Day Challenge 2013, 13: Comparison.

Submitted for Poets United's Poetry Pantry #146

25 comments:

  1. Poignant. I can see the empty space that can never be filled.

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  2. and the door shut on the cold - Very well written and captures the inner feelings. Well Done.

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  3. Beautiful.. Thank you for writing such a wonderful poem with so much simplicity..

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  4. you have captured the feeling so well.... wonderful!

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  5. That's really lovely. Nicely done.

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  6. The feelings you've created with the challenge are so heartfelt. Beautiful poem.

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  7. moment/contentment and belonged/longing really encapsulate the emotion in this poem. Enjoyable read, though sad.

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    1. Thank you for noticing what I did with those words.

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  8. ". . . no particular reason why today" hits hard. So like loss to ambush mourners. I am happy you and the cats caught something belonging to you, as well.

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  9. Rosemary, I so hear you. Especially at the feeling contented moment, and then recognizing you are anticipating his coming into the room - and realizing he isnt able to. I like to believe his spirit isnt far from you and the cats, though.

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  10. Rosemary, your sadness is palpable in this poem. You paint such a perfect picture, actually contrast of pictures. A beautiful poem--hugs <3

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  11. Wow, I could feel this all the way down to my toes...

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  12. There has to be cats, they smooth out the course edges of empty, and seem to understand that you need to cry at essentially everything. I couldn't tell from the comment on coldness and that in the last two stanzas you claimed happiness, whether the person missing was lost or exiled. In either case the emptiness persists and I can relate to your expression of it.

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    1. Yes, I was aware it wasn't clear to anyone unaware of my circumstances (widowhood) but decided that didn't matter to the poem. As you say, it's the loss that is the thing - the emptiness - not how it came about. All the same, I must remember to tag the many poems on this subject 'widowhood'. Hard to imagine now, but there may come a time when it's not my chief topic.

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  13. there is something in that moment when the realization of the loss returns from wherever it goes while it gives you a chance to rest. it is always such a moment of shock and physically changes the shape of your heart. you expressed this so well. I'm sorry for your loss.

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  14. You've captured so well, that instant of forgetting, the moment of expectation, just before the grief reinvades! Well done! Keep writing!

    Don't Lay Me Down

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  15. Beautifully written, poignant poem. I know where you are coming from Rosemary. Thinking of you
    Res

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  16. The longing in that hour of the day is truly painful...beautifully captured

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  17. Some days we are more weepy than others. This poem delves into those parts of ourselves we all can recognize.

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  18. Loss is always difficult and sorrow can blindside us anywhere, at any time. It proves we are really human. Sadness is present in your poem, but there is also a sense of settling, as well.

    Elizabeth

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  19. I thank you all for your kindness and understanding.

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